Representing Child Clients: Practical Skills for Lawyers

YJLC is the recognised centre of excellence in youth justice law in England and Wales. We work to improve outcomes for children in the criminal legal system by sharing expertise, developing best practice, and driving innovation across the profession.

Why This Training Matters

Representing children requires specialist legal knowledge—and distinct, highly developed skills. This training is designed to give you the confidence, competence, and practical tools needed to represent child clients effectively and ethically.

Delivered in person by leading youth justice lawyers, in collaboration with children and young people themselves, this course goes beyond black-letter law. It focuses on how to practise youth justice well.

What You Will Learn

This training provides practical guidance across the core areas of youth justice law, including:

• Children in the Youth Court and the Crown Court
• Child Criminal Exploitation – legal frameworks and practical advocacy tips
• Child welfare and safeguarding – using existing law and guidance to protect children from unnecessary criminal justice responses
• Working Effectively With Child Clients

While legal training focuses heavily on knowing the law, far less attention is given to working with clients—particularly children. This course addresses that gap.

You will learn how to use a structured, child-centred template to explain legal cases clearly and effectively. The training will help you develop a methodical approach to explaining processes, timeframes, key decision-makers, and possible outcomes in a way that is accessible and meaningful for children. These skills help to manage expectations, increase understanding, and support children to participate fully in their cases.

Professional Standards and the Changing Landscape

The SRA and the BSB require lawyers representing children to have specialist knowledge and skills that are kept up to date.

In October 2025, the Ministry of Justice announced its intention to introduce a requirement for Child Specialist Legal Training for criminal lawyers acting for children and the establishment of a Child Advocate Specialist Panel – Crime, with eligible lawyers listed on a public register and a long-term expectation that all lawyers representing children will become panel members.

This training provides timely, practical support to help practitioners meet current obligations and prepare for the new standards that will shape the future of youth justice practice.

What previous participants, who attended the training in Feb '26, said:

"I would recommend this training to others. It was such a rare and invaluable experience to engage with young people and have a practice at altering how you engage with a client. All of the speakers gave some thorough advice and information as well."

"If you work with children, this training is essential — it transforms how you listen, how you advocate, and how you ensure every child’s voice is truly heard."

"I would 100% recommend this training, particularly to those starting out. The fact that no specific training is mandated to deal with child clients is worrying and borderline negligent. This is a very helpful place to start, it directs attendees to the relevant sources and alerts young lawyers to what they should be looking out for."

YJLC Membership

YJLC membership supports high-quality, child-centred legal practice and provides timely access to the training, resources, and expert support needed to meet emerging professional standards and demonstrate specialist competence in youth justice work.

Members benefit from:

• Free access to YJLC legal guides and online resources, developed by expert youth justice lawyers
• Free access to YJLC’s specialist legal advice line, offering tailored legal information and bespoke case support to help achieve better outcomes for children
• Free access to YJLC’s monthly webinars on key developments in youth justice law and practice
• Heavily discounted access to monthly masterclasses and other specialist training, including in-person events
• Inclusion in the public YJLC Member Directory, recognising your commitment to excellence in youth justice representation

Membership Cost

Individual membership - £150 per annum

Organisational membership (firm or chambers) – starts at £400 per annum and all members of chambers / staff can access the YJLC member benefits

Email info@yjlc.uk to arrange membership.